Many F1 teams are expecting a boost in performance at the Spanish Grand Prix as the return to Europe gives them a chance to bring a host of news parts.

Several of them are likely to introduce their versions of the ‘double decker diffusers’ that were confirmed legal last month.

But with Brawn bringing updated parts too, can anyone narrow the gap to the flying BGP001s?

How far ahead are Brawn?

John Spencer has put together these charts looking at how the teams stack up alongside Brawn over the first four races:

Brawn versus other teams in qualifying

Brawn versus other teams in races

Interestingly the circuit where Brawn’s advantage has been greatest so far is Sepang. Its long straights and high aerodynamic loads make it more similar to the Catalunya circuit than the other three, suggesting Brawn should be especially strong here. But will that be the case?

New parts

Here’s what the teams have said about new components they’ll be bringing to Spain:

BMW – Claims it will have a “new nose section, more deeply undercut sidepods and rear wing” along with revisions to its front wing, engine cover and underbody. The latter will presumably include a revised diffuser.

It looks likely to be one of the most revised cars on the grid – and boy do they need it to be.

Ferrari – Lots of changes to the F60, some have even unofficially dubbed it the ‘F60B’. Goofy has posted some videos of it in the forum although as it’s shot from a distance it’s tricky to see what changes have been made:

Toyota – Dieter Gass has said the team are planning a minor aerodynamic upgrade for Catalunya.

McLaren – Having rushed in changes to its diffuser at China following the diffuser verdict, McLaren has played down its ability to get many new parts on the car this weekend.

Brawn – The team they’re all trying to catch isn’t standing still. Ross Brawn had this to say:

Whilst we have been away racing over the past few weeks, the factory has been working extremely hard on our upgrade package for the BGP 001 and we look forward to seeing the results of our development work on track in Barcelona this weekend.

You forgot to mention the underdogs Toro Rosso & Force India, Toro Rosso are going to have an updated diffuser and aero updates same with Force India.
All very interesting stuff :D the pecking order is going to be changed yet again this weekend

But doesn’t the Red Bull have the complex rear suspension which is difficult to adapt for a new diffuser? I heard Red Bull are going to have to wait ’til Turkey for their new diffuser, and the Toro Rosso and Red Bull cars are effectively identical. I wonder if Toro Rosso are acting as a diffuser guinea pig for Red Bull?

I think Ferrari will show the biggest improvement. But Mclaren will be the team to challenge the Brawns and Red Bulls in the short term. I just wonder how much more development there is in the Brawn car, its aleady had a good 12 months of development. I know they have’nt tested much but Ross would have collected a lot of track Data from the old car.
I think Brawn will stay a front runner buit the gap will close in the next 3 races.

I expect at this race the biggest improvement to be the Ferrari’s after a telling off from the boss they must’ve known we better deliver or we’re in some deep horse ish.
But at Monaco everyone prepare to see Red Bull destroy everyone with their RB5B we were all saying they will have huge problems but Newey will deliver yet again and leave us astonished mark my words STR4B due to be at Monaco so i’ve heard so we could see an all Red Bull Top 4 :) Now that would be Faaaaaantastic :)

What I’ve recently read on some Polish site is the following:
– The “new Ferrari” is 20-25kg lighter than its predecessor. This sounds incredible, but we’ll see.
– The BMW has reduced their cars’ weight by 15kg – this means Kubica can use KERS and have a good car set-up. They also have constructed a double difuser, BUT… it seems not to work. Thus, they will most prolly not use it in Spain yet.

BMW – Claims it will have a “new nose section

I hope it’s prettier!

How far ahead are Brawn?

You know, Keith, I think it is safe to say that Red Bull are already on par with Brawn.

Yes Striay I am a Toro Rosso/Red Bull fanatic I mean you can’t possibly tell me you don’t enjoy the stories on both their websites especially the STR one they have humour and its just Fan Friendly. If they wont be in F1 next season it will be like losing a part of me:S i dare not to think

I mean you can’t possibly tell me you don’t enjoy the stories on both their websites especially the STR one they have humour and its just Fan Friendly

I can agree with you on that one. Redbulletin Staff are closest F1 fans can get to F1 teams on track side. First to open the Redbulletin trailer, last to close it and friendly staff, chatting with fans, handing out Redbulletin copies.
Not to mention their websites are fan friendly, unlike the “Business Like” websites of the competition.

Friday practice will be very interesting.But the way the season’s going they’ll be 2secconds faster per lap so brawn,toyota, williams, will protest their new development’s.You can just see it happening.

I am joining the ranks of Red Bull fans myself,they are fun,friendly and Vettel is the kind of guy you love to root for….seems a far cry from the stuffy people at some of the other teams.Still pulling for my BMW boys though,I hope they get somewhere with this new package,I was expecting to be rooting Heidfeld and Kubica on to more podiums at this point.

They have a company named Williams Hybrid Power (williamshybridpower.com) that is still working on a version for their F1 car, but I don’t think they have yet said when it will be ready, the usual “it will be ready when it’s ready”.

Can’t agree with that.
With the possible exception of Vettel, there are no truly great drivers there at the moment. All of them are only as good (or worse) as the cars they drive.
Really miss Senna or Schumi who were capable of scoring way above the supposed limits of the available machinery.
That made for some incredible racing!

Now its a race between engineers, race tacticians and managers arguing diffusers. Also fine, but – not quite the same thing!

I hope it just means all the cars are running a bit closer together and are a bit more equal. I have enjoyed the season so far with the so-called ‘top’ teams struggling and the ‘underdogs’ being able to fight for the win instead.
If this doesn’t prove that smaller independent teams are better for the sport, nothing does!

while they’re still allowed to throw money at their problems, ferrari will. mclaren will get closer, red bull won’t move forward until newey has sorted out the diffuser/pull rod suspension issue, toyota will remain where they are but will have sent their entire pitwall back to university to learn about tyres and strategy, and brawn will waltz away into the distance…

and what of williams, force india, toro rosso? well they’re as we speak perfecting a method of getting their cars to run on enthusiasm, optimism and elbow grease, as those are the things they have in abundance, and seems to be the only chance they have of delivering on their stated potential…!

i kinda curious, are the front and rear wing changeable? i mean, like previous years we’ve seen different types of wings on every rounds. e.g in monza and monaco which very different approach by gaining downforce, thus the wings get different.